The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1887-04-28
EVER since the old Knownothing bigot-

EVER since the old Knownothing bigot-
ny was crushed ont, politicians in this
country have acted as if they thought the
foreign element was entitled to more
privileges than native Americans. The
leaders of the foreign element were not
slow to profit by this complaisance and
for years the Knownothing cry of Ameri-
ca for Americans was metamorphosed
into the demand America for foreigners"
1t was complete revolution.
In many sections of this state candi-
dates for public Office are selected more
with reference to their nationality than
to their fitness. There is no such thing
as American citizenship in fact. The
italian organ-grinder, so far as political
privileges are concerned, is the equal of
the most gifted statesman. With mar
velous inconsistency We assume that the
state educates the child so that he NAV
be equal to the duties Of American citi-
zenship; we excuse the harshness Of the
law which compels the child to attend
school, on the plea that intelligence and
a knowledge OF the institutions of our
country are necessary to the 'perpetuity
OF the republic" while we hasten to con-
fer the rights of citizenship without a
period of probation, on people who have
not the faintest conception Of the nature
Of a republic, who confound license with
liberty and mistake anarchy for a govern
ment by the people.
The state for its own preservation edu-
Gates the child born under republican
form Of government, who grows up i'm
billing love for the government which
affords him protection, who inherits re-
spect for laws which he feels are inst and
necessary, whose patriotism is 4 birth
right strengthened by early impressions.
But the foreign anarchist whose life has
been devoted to changing the existing
order of things, who loves turbulence and
disorder, who openly avows hostility to
law and to government, is at once invest
ed with privileges which it is thought the
native born" cannot properly exercise
without careful special training and long
probation.
This is what partisanship has done for
us. One party vies with the other in ex-
tending favors to the foreign element"
in the effort to gain votes, not for love Of
foreigners. The Wisconsin legislature
defeated resolution requiring that
no u a1fTz Of he
before being allowed to vote. The reso-
luton was killed not becaue it imposed
any restriction which was unjust, but be-
cause the politicians We're more intent
upon securing personal and party adyan-
tage, than they were in enacting salutary
measures and imposing limitations which
every one feels are imperatively demanded
in the best interests of the country.
The newspapers are Just as cowardly
and self-seekine as the politicians
Neither, with very few exceptions. under
stand the people. They seek to gain 10y
fawning and damagogy what would come
more certainly by independence Blaine's
partiality for the Irish is one of his ele-
ments Of strength. Washhurne was urg-
ed for the presidency because while min
lister to France he won the gratitude Of
the German nation. Thurman was al
ways 'out OF the race" because he never
had any foreign backing and in his public
career worked for the good Of the Amer-
can people. This is the complexion Of
politics and the coloring is always hight
eued by the organ which is ever seeking
for party advantage. Even our own Fair
child becomes fit man for the presidency
because he is commandments OF the
G. 4. Ii. General Sherman is to be lured
from his retirement because he can sweep
the soldier vote Bah! what stuff and
nonsense. Kill the party organ and we
viii have no more Of the foreigner and
the soldier as a political element.